[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 67 (Thursday, April 8, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 17146-17147] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-8760] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 032599C] Marine Mammals; File No. 881-1443 and File No. 633-1483
Agency
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Action
Receipt of applications for amendments.
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Summary
Notice is hereby given that the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), P.O. Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664 has requested an amendment to scientific research and enhancement Permit No. 881-1443; and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), 59 Commercial Street, P.O. Box 1036, Provincetown, MA 02657 has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 633-1483.
Dates
Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 10, 1999.
Addresses
The amendment requests and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/ 713-2289); For the Alaska SeaLife Center (Permit No. 881-1443): Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 21688, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221); and For the Center for Coastal Studies (Permit No. 633-1483): Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, One Blackburn Dr., Gloucester, MA 01930-0070 (978/281-9250). Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these requests should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on these particular amendment requests would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or other electronic media.
For Further Information Contact
Sara Shapiro or Ruth Johnson, 301/713- 2289.
Supplementary Information
The subject amendment to Permit No. 881-1443 (ASLC), issued on March 27, 1998 (63 FR 14905), and the subject amendment to Permit No. 633-1483 (CCS), issued on March 3, 1999 (64 FR 10276) are requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23). Permit No. 881-1443 (ASLC) authorizes the Permit Holder to: assess nutritional physiology, metabolic development, and clinical health under captive conditions of six harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and three Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus); conduct stable isotope and lipid metabolism studies on the harbor seals; and conduct a two-week fasting study as part of the controlled dietary studies. The Permit Holder requests authorization to conduct the following experiments on the Steller sea lions: reproductive chemistry and physiology; immunology; organochlorine testing; dive disorders; optimal foraging; and body condition. Permit No. 633-1483 (CCS) authorizes the Permit Holder to: conduct behavioral observations of, and photo-identify Northern right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) during aerial and vessel surveys; place VHF tags on right whales during the course of vessel surveys; collect skin and blubber biopsy samples and sloughed skin; and export skin samples for genetic analysis. The Permit Holder requests authorization to approach, photo-identify, and collect, import and export tissue samples from free-ranging, entangled, and stranded humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and other balaenopterid species. CCS proposes to conduct this research in the U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: April 1, 1999. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-8760 Filed 4-7-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F